BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Commentator and journalist Dave Woods has left the BBC after more than 30 years with the public broadcaster to join rival Sky Sports.
Sky announced that Woods, the main rugby league caller on BBC television and radio, would be joining them early today. Mark Wilson and Kyle Amor have also joined Sky’s commentary panel for this season.
In an internal email to BBC staff, obtained by rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads, it has been confirmed that Woods will no longer work for the BBC.
The Bolton native has been a fixture on the Beeb, and the broadcaster’s main rugby league caller since 2009 when he took over from Ray French.
Woods has also covered football for the BBC and Channel 4, and rugby league for Premier Sports during his long media career, while running the 5 Live Rugby League podcast. He has been approached for comment.
Last year Woods was given the Arthur Brooks Trophy by the Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters Association, for services to the sport.
In December commentator Phil Clarke’s departure from Sky was announced after three decades with the pay TV broadcaster.
Sky Sports press release reads:
Four-time Super League grand final winner, Kyle Amor and broadcasters Dave Woods and Mark Wilson join the commentary line-up for the biggest ever season of Super League on Sky Sports and NOW.
The trio join Sky Sports following an historic rights deal made last year, giving Super League fans the chance to watch every Betfred Super League match live for the first time.
Kyle Amor racked up over 350 appearances and 42 tries for club and country across a stellar career. The Cumbrian will bring vast experience from his playing days which spanned over a decade and saw him win multiple Super League Grand Finals as well a Challenge Cup with St Helens in 2021 scoring a try against Castleford at Wembley.
With over 20 years of broadcasting experience, Dave Woods has cemented himself as one the leading voices in the sport – building a reputation as a much-loved and respected expert within the Rugby League community.
Mark Wilson is another voice viewers will be familiar with, as the commentator has been part of Sky’s live coverage previously – calling the action from the gantry on Men’s and Women’s Super League, as well as the Wheelchair Super League.
This year, Sky Sports will show all six matches in each Super League round live, totalling around 170 games each year across Sky Sports channels and platforms. This will include Magic Weekend fixtures, Playoffs and all three Grand Finals – Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair.
Continued innovation will also be seen on screen, as renewed investment means that video referees will now feature in all Super League matches, bringing increased consistency and integrity to the sport.
Helen Falkus, Sky Sports Director of Multi Sports, said: “This season represents a really exciting opportunity for both us and the League with the new rights deal, so it’s fantastic to be welcoming three new faces in Kyle, Dave and Mark.
“They will each bring quality, experience and an understanding of what the Rugby League community wants to know. We have every confidence that they will take our coverage to new levels as we bring fans every fixture across Sky platforms.”
In addition to live matches, Super League fans can tune in to Sky Sports for a range of support programming, including interviews and features whilst being able to stay across all the latest Rugby League news on Sky Sports’ social media channels, SkySports.com and Sky Sports News.
